Car accidents in Green Bay can cause catastrophic injuries, even if they might not appear to be serious at first. If you have suffered serious injuries in a Green Bay car accident, you should seek the assistance of an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer.
At Schwaba Law Firm, we have spent decades dedicating our careers to fighting for compensation for injured individuals. We have obtained significant results for car accident victims, including:
- $1.1 million car accident verdict
- $750,000 settlement for a car accident victim
- $600,000 car accident settlement
While past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome in any future case, they do demonstrate our commitment to seeking recovery for car accident victims with severe injuries. Let us put that experience to work for you. Contact our Green Bay catastrophic injury car accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury After a Car Accident?
While all car accident injuries can throw your life into disarray, some injuries have a more profound impact than others. A catastrophic injury is one that results in chronic impairment, permanent disability, or a lifelong requirement for specialist care. Some of the most devastating and life-altering body injuries after a car accident include:
- Traumatic brain injury – Motor vehicle accidents are the second-leading cause of TBI across all age groups.
- Spinal cord injury – Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or full paralysis below the point of impact.
- Severe organ damage – Internal injuries after a car accident might not cause pain right away, even though they can be life-threatening, particularly if they affect vital organs such as injuries to the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
- Complex fractures – Breaks that need surgery, plates, or rods often take far longer to heal than a simple broken bone.
- Severe burns – Burns from an engine fire or an airbag can cause lasting scarring and nerve damage.
- Amputation or limb loss – A crushing injury in a serious crash can sometimes make amputation necessary.
Long-Term Damages and Why It Is Important to Know the True Cost
One of the most costly errors people make after sustaining car accident injuries is accepting a settlement offer before they have a full understanding of the harm they have sustained. Some of the worst injuries do not immediately manifest after a crash. For example, abdominal pain or swelling that appears hours or days later can be a sign of internal bleeding from a car accident. Traumatic brain injuries may not show symptoms until days after the crash. By the same token, delayed bruising after a car accident can also be a sign of something far more serious than you originally suspected.
That’s why you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible after a crash. A doctor’s examination can identify hidden injuries after a car accident before they become obvious. In fact, research shows that most delays in diagnosing serious head trauma were the result of patients waiting too long to seek care, not medical error. The sooner your medical professional can begin documenting your injuries, the better your attorney can account for future losses such as long-term medical care and lost earning potential.
How We Build a Catastrophic Injury Claim
At Schwaba Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to making clients whole. Here’s what we will do to fight for the compensation you deserve:
- Investigate the crash – We will gather police reports, photos, and witness statements to build a clear picture of what happened.
- Work with medical experts – We can consult with doctors and specialists to understand the full extent of your injuries and future care needs.
- Calculate the true cost – We will account for medical bills, lost income, and long-term care so nothing gets left out of your claim.
- Handle the insurance company – We can take over all communication with the other party’s insurance adjusters so you can focus on recovering.
- Prepare for trial – We will build every case as though it is headed to court, which puts pressure on insurers to offer a fair settlement.
Damages Available in Wisconsin
Every injury case is different, but individuals who suffer catastrophic injuries are often eligible to seek substantial compensation. This is because Wisconsin courts recognize that life-altering injuries put an overwhelming financial and psychological burden on victims. Depending on the circumstances and prognosis of your injury, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
If your injuries occurred due to another party’s reckless conduct (e.g., drunk driving), you might also be eligible to seek punitive damages.
Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence rules allow injury victims to recover compensation even if they are partly at fault for the accident, so long as they are found to be less than 51 percent to blame. However, the resulting award will be reduced by the percentage of the injured person’s fault. For instance, someone deemed to be 10 percent at fault for an accident can still recover 90 percent of the value of their award.
Wisconsin Deadlines That Apply to Your Case
Wisconsin law establishes the following deadlines to file legal claims after a car accident:
- Most motor vehicle accident claimants must initiate legal proceedings within three years of the crash.
- If you have lost a loved one in a catastrophic vehicle accident, you must file a lawsuit within two years.
- If you are filing a claim against a local government body (city, county, or town), you must provide written notice within 120 days, and recovery is capped at $50,000 per claimant.
- Claims against a state officer or employee also require written notice within 120 days, and recovery is capped at $250,000 (with no punitive damages allowed).
If you miss any of these deadlines, the Brown County Circuit Court will likely dismiss your case. As such, it is crucial to retain a legal professional as soon as possible so they can start taking steps to protect your legal right to compensation.
Reach Out to Our Experienced Catastrophic Injury Lawyers for Car Accidents in Green Bay
At Schwaba Law Firm, we understand how painful and overwhelming life can become after a catastrophic car accident injury in Green Bay. That is why we want to do everything in our power to secure the financial help you need and deserve.
This testimonial from a former client illustrates the experience people have when working with us: “I cannot say enough good about this law firm. Andy made us feel like family… He fought for us as if we were his own family.”
Don’t delay in seeking the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
